January 2025

2025 ASE Annual Conference at the University of Nottingham 9 January 2025 - 11 January 2025

The ASE’s Annual Conference, this year sponsored by AQA, is the UK’s largest science education conference gathering together science educators from across the education spectrum. The three days include over 250 sessions with keynotes, speakers and workshops, along with a fantastic exhibition of science education organisations and resource suppliers, social events and more.

*Early bird tickets are now live - Book your tickets now and secure ASE Member rate of just £99 for one day, with ASE Student Member tickets (trainees/ECTs) available for just £25 per day. More information here

Tips and Tricks for volunteering in the  Classroom 6 January  4pm-5pm

A one-hour session for STEM Ambassadors about how to engage learners in the classroom. We will discuss volunteering in schools and classrooms, techniques for engaging learners in the classroom, and safeguarding considerations. To book go here

Find out about Online Mentoring 8 January 12.30pm-1pm

Join us for a 30-minute introduction session to the Destination STEM online mentoring programme. This programme gives young people aged 13-19 the opportunity to speak to a STEM professional about career options, life after school and their next steps. Come along to this session to find out more about the programme and how you could become a mentor! This is an information session for STEM Ambassadors, no prep or further commitment needed. To book go here

Making Sense of Autism 9 January 12.30pm-2pm

Delivered by the Autism Education Trust, this session for STEM Ambassadors aims to enhance their understanding of autism and will cover: · The Three Areas of Difference: o Social Understanding and Communication o Flexibility, Information Processing, and Understanding o Sensory Processing and Integration · The strengths and support needs of autistic people Reasonable adjustments for supporting autistic pupils. To book go here

Safeguarding Refresher 10 January 12pm-12.20pm

This 20-minute session is for STEM Ambassadors to refresh and develop your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. We will discuss what safeguarding is, professional boundaries, managing disclosures, reporting concerns, and Health & Safety. To book go here

How to explain your job to an 8yr old 14 January 4pm-5pm

This session will cover the best ways of breaking down a complicated job title into bite-sized chunks that young people can understand. Get some tips on how to help young people learn about the different things they can do in life and have a go at formulating your explanation of your own job. To book your place go here 

This is Me 16 January 11am - 11.45am

This 45-minute session is a training session for STEM Ambassadors about developing a short, punchy presentation to use when volunteering. We will discuss what a ‘This is Me’ presentation is, go through the process for developing your own and show you how to use it to engage schools.To book a place go here 

Big Schools’ Birdwatch 2025 7 January 14 February  2025

Big Schools’ Birdwatch is back for 2025! Join thousands of other schools to find out which birds visit your school grounds. Together, we can make it count.Sign up today and you’ll be directed to all our online resources enabling you and your class to take part in Big Schools’ Birdwatch.All our resources support curriculum learning, including providing you with historical records of Big Schools’ Birdwatch, so you can compare what you see. All resources are available bilingually for schools in Wales.Why not make Big Schools’ Birdwatch the first step you take to find out about the nature on your school grounds? Complete five more challenges and you can gain your Bronze Wild Challenge award. More information here

This is Me 27 January  11am - 11.45am

This 45-minute session is a training session for STEM Ambassadors about developing a short, punchy presentation to use when volunteering. We will discuss what a ‘This is Me’ presentation is, go through the process for developing your own and show you how to use it to engage schools.To book a place go here

Find Out About Royal Society Partnership Grants 28 January 12.30pm -1pm

Join us for a 30-minute introduction from the Royal Society about how you can support schools to apply for funding, and partner with the schools to have real impact. The Royal Society offer funding to schools to collaborate with a STEM Partner (you! – or your company) to run an investigative project for students. You can be instrumental in letting schools know about the fund they can access as well as working with them to make lasting impact for the students. STEM Partners need to be working in a STEM role and willing to collaborate with the school at regular intervals over a minimum of 1 school term, but all STEM Ambassadors are welcome to join this talk to find out more. This is an information session for STEM Ambassadors, no prep or further commitment needed. To book go here

February 2025

National Astronomy Week 1-9 February 2025

National Astronomy Week 2025 runs from 1-9 February and is supported by the Royal Astronomical Society, British Astronomical Association, Federation of Astronomical Societies, and Society for Popular Astronomy.The night sky will be full of interest, and we will be chasing the Moon across the sky to find a new theme each day until the Moon arrives at Mars on 9 February. As well as events run by organisations including visitor centres, observatories and amateur astronomical societies, there is a national planetarium show that anyone can deliver, downloadable resources including a printable sheet for recording Moon observations, live telescope streaming, social media resources/activities, links to National Storytelling Week (with a story just for us!), and much, much more. Highlight events and resources will start appearing on the website from this week.

Events: If you are running a public event/activity during the week, you can now register it through our website to have it appear on the NAW events listings/map (and also on the Go Stargazing website). Events listed in Wales can be seen here: https://astronomyweek.org.uk/event-map-by-date/

How to explain your job to an 8yr old 4 February  4pm-5pm

This session will cover the best ways of breaking down a complicated job title into bite-sized chunks that young people can understand. Get some tips on how to help young people learn about the different things they can do in life and have a go at formulating your explanation of your own job. To book your place go here

Find out about British Science Week 4 February 12.30pm - 1pm

Join us for a 30-minute session about British Science Week and how you can get involved. British Science Week runs from 7-16th March 2025 and is a celebration of all things STEM. This session will run through some of the free resources available for you to use from the British Science Association and talk about how you can get involved with volunteering during British Science Week! Book here

British Science Week: How to access STEM Volunteers 28 January /5 February/ 12 February

Find out how the STEM Ambassadors Programme can support learning and provide inspiration during British Science Week 2025 and beyond.

International Day of Women and Girls in Science February 11th 2025

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance that celebrates the achievements and contributions of women and girls in the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). This day recognizes the importance of gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls in the scientific community. In this article, we will explore what International Day of Women and Girls in Science represents, when it occurs, its significance, and how it is observed

International Day of Women and Girls in Science is observed on February 11th each year. This date was chosen to honor the birthday of Marie Curie, a pioneering physicist and chemist who made groundbreaking contributions to the fields of radioactivity and nuclear physics. Marie Curie remains an inspirational figure for women in science. More information  here

This is Me 12 February  3pm-3.45pm

This 45-minute session is a training session for STEM Ambassadors about developing a short, punchy presentation to use when volunteering. We will discuss what a ‘This is Me’ presentation is, go through the process for developing your own and show you how to use it to engage schools.To book a place go here 

Safeguarding Refresher 6 February 12pm-12.20pm

This 20-minute session is for STEM Ambassadors to refresh and develop your knowledge and understanding of safeguarding. We will discuss what safeguarding is, professional boundaries, managing disclosures, reporting concerns, and Health & Safety. To book go here

Cardiff Science Festival - Cardiff  22 February  11am - 3pm 

Cardiff Science Festival takes over Wales’ capital to inspire and educate. We showcase science, technology, engineering and maths, integrating them into the capital city of Wales. The four-day festival spreads throughout Cardiff’s libraries, cafes, bars and streets, with hidden events for your to discover.Our aim is to celebrate science, technology, engineering and maths, and how they affect our every day lives. We bring science to you, with a range of events that are guaranteed to captivate and teach you something new.Cardiff is a hub for science research and world-renowned science communicators. By following our map around the city, you can learn something new from the best researchers and communicators, right on your doorstep. More information here

Cardiff Science Festival - University of South Wales - Atrium Cardiff  26 February  11am - 3pm

Cardiff Science Festival takes over Wales’ capital to inspire and educate. We showcase science, technology, engineering and maths, integrating them into the capital city of Wales. The four-day festival spreads throughout Cardiff’s libraries, cafes, bars and streets, with hidden events for your to discover.Our aim is to celebrate science, technology, engineering and maths, and how they affect our every day lives. We bring science to you, with a range of events that are guaranteed to captivate and teach you something new.Cardiff is a hub for science research and world-renowned science communicators. By following our map around the city, you can learn something new from the best researchers and communicators, right on your doorstep. More information here

March 2025

British Science Week 2025 7th - 16th of March

BSW 2025 will take place from the 7th to the 16th of March and the theme will be ‘Change & Adapt’. During the week, schools are encouraged to celebrate with STEM activities and events.Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics can all be linked to changes in nature, technology, space, and more. So if you’re looking to plan BSW projects in advance, there are plenty of subjects to choose from.

Learners could also focus on behaviour and the adaptations we could make to create positive changes for the population and planet.

Click here to learn more about British Science Week 2025 and how to apply for funding for future projects or events.

In Autumn, FREE BSW Taster Packs will be released with activities on this theme followed by complete Activity Packs in January. In the meantime, if you’re looking for inspiration you can download previous BSW Activity Packs or visit the CREST Awards website for resources and ideas.

First Lego League Challenge "Submerged" 11th March 9am 

Merthyr College, Ynysfach, Merthyr Tydfil CF48 1AR

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is a global STEM programme for teams of young people, to encourage an interest in real world themes and develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers.

Young people work together to explore a given topic and to design, build and program an autonomous LEGO® robot to solve a series of missions.This annual competition will be held at Merthyr College on 11th March 2025. Registration information can be found here 

Further information can be found here

First Lego League Challenge "Submerged" 13th March 9am 

The Atrium , University of. South Wales, 88 Adam St, Cardiff CF24 2FN

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is a global STEM programme for teams of young people, to encourage an interest in real world themes and develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers.

Young people work together to explore a given topic and to design, build and program an autonomous LEGO® robot to solve a series of missions.This annual competition will be held at The Atrium on 13th March 2025. Registration information can be found here 

Further information can be found here

First Lego League Challenge "Submerged" 22nd March 9.45am 

Ysgol Henry Tudor, Bush Hill, Pembroke Dock , Pembrokeshire  SA71 4RL

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is a global STEM programme for teams of young people, to encourage an interest in real world themes and develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers.

Young people work together to explore a given topic and to design, build and program an autonomous LEGO® robot to solve a series of missions.This annual competition will be held at Ysgol Henry Tudor on 22nd  March 2025. Registration information can be found here 

Further information can be found here

First Lego League Challenge "Submerged" 22nd March 9.45am 

Ebbw Fawr Learning Community, Strand Annealing Lane, Ebbw Vale, Blaenau Gwent NP23 6AN

FIRST® LEGO® League Challenge is a global STEM programme for teams of young people, to encourage an interest in real world themes and develop key skills that are crucial for their future careers.

Young people work together to explore a given topic and to design, build and program an autonomous LEGO® robot to solve a series of missions.This annual competition will be held at Ysgol Henry Tudor on 22nd  March 2025. Registration information can be found here

Further information can be found here

Engaging with Secondary Students: Tips for Success 25 March 9am-10am

In this 1-hour session, delivered by Christina Astin, you’ll learn how to engage successfully with secondary school students. It will cover why volunteering with secondary students is important and the different ways you may be interacting with them (in school, during work experience, or online), plus provide tips for aligning messages with the curriculum to ensure they are inclusive and relevant for young people.Book here

June

The Big Bang Fair June 17- June 19

The Big Bang Fair inspires the next generation with hands-on activities, experiments and workshops. The UK’s biggest celebration of STEM for schools will return on Tuesday 17 to Thursday 19 June 2025 at The NEC in Birmingham.

The Big Bang Fair is free, and is open to UK state-funded school groups only in:

• year 6 to year 8 (England and Wales)

Schools can explore The Fair in our morning session (9am to 12pm) or afternoon session (1pm to 4pm). If you have any questions, please contact us at info@thebigbang.org.uk

Schools will be able to book free tickets to The Big Bang Fair 2025 in early 2025. Sign up to our newsletter to get VIP early access. More information here